Woodlanders gobble up Hostess Twinkies and Ding Dongs

Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of nostalgic sweets such as Ding Dongs and Twinkies, announced bankruptcy and liquidation Friday.

Woodlanders flocked to the company's outlet thrift store at 555 Kentucky Ave., to stock up what was left. Tuesday is the bakery outlet's last day, unless they sell-out before then.

The shop has been in Woodland for at least 30 years.

"We hate to see it go. We've been here a long time," said one Hostess employee, who was instructed to remain anonymous.

The worker had been part of the Hostess family for 12 years, while her colleague had been with the company for 21 years.

Both women will lose their jobs. The Woodland outlet is one of 500 that will be closing nationwide. Hostess said employees at its 33 factories were sent home and operations suspended Friday.

About 18,500 workers are affected overall.

"It's really kind of sad they're closing up, but worse than that are the employees who are out of jobs," said Howard Amen of Arbuckle, who said he patronizes the store whenever he's in town. "I especially feel sad for the (Woodland) employees because I've known them for a long time. They've always been helpful and cheerful."

Amen noted the poor timing of people losing their jobs, right before Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

The parking lot at the discount shop, selling everything from sweet Ding Dongs to savory sandwich rolls, was packed Friday afternoon. The check-out line was up to 10-customers deep at times.

Already the Twinkie stock has been obliterated.

"It's always sad to see any business close their doors, especially a business that has been a part of Woodland and Yolo County for a long time," said Stephen Chaudhry, owner of Woodland's HSF Security. "Whether it's a big business or small business or family-owned, it's always sad to see a business close their doors."

Chaudhry said he purchased the last box of Ding Dongs at the Kentucky Avenue outlet. He also bought the last few boxes of Ho-Hos at Food 4 Less on Pioneer, which is also out of original Twinkies, he said.

Chaudhry's brother called from Nashville, Tenn., where Twinkies are also nowhere to be found, he said.

Meanwhile, out-of-towners are also saddened by the Woodland outlet's closure.

"I'm very disappointed. This was our favorite place," said Janet Gustafson.

Gustafson and her husband, Ken, are from Hercules and shop at the Hostess store once per week when they watch their grandson in Woodland.

"This is a convenience for people who need this kind of help, and the products are excellent," she said.

Even those who weren't store regulars showed up Friday, bit by the nostalgia bug.

Zachariah Johnson said he "almost never" shopped at the Woodland outlet, but came Friday when he heard the store was closing to get some iconic Hostess foods.

He was bummed that the shop was out of Twinkies, but bought some other sweets for his wife who enjoyed the treats as a kid.

"I'm surprised," Johnson said. "I've heard (Hostess) was going downhill for years, but I'm still surprised they closed."